15 wise quotes from famous people for when you need a mood-booster

We all hit points when everything just seems absolutely pointless. Such rock-bottom moments successfully convince us that everything we've been striving, everything we've sacrificed for that one goal, all the hard work, everything... has been for nothing. And that nothing we do can possibly change this hopeless state of existence. However, this is exactly when we need to remember that the power to pull us out of this rut lies in our own hands. No one else can lift our mood for us unless we ourselves decide that it's time to stop singing "Hello darkness, my old friend" and get back to kicking life's butt.

That said, sometimes even the best of us might need a few words of wisdom to give us that final push to get us out of the cocoon of hopelessness. And who best to turn to for such gems than those who've already played this game of life and figured out all of its tricks. Here are 15 such affirmations and quotes from famous figures throughout history for when you need a little mood-booster: 

1.

"True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing. The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not." — Seneca

2.

"If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled. If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." — Lao Tzu

3.

"Happiness comes from living as you need to, as you want to. As your inner voice tells you to. Happiness comes from being who you actually are instead of who you think you are supposed to be." — Shonda Rhimes

4.

"I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition." — Martha Washington

5.

"So we shall let the reader answer this question for himself: who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed?" — Hunter S. Thompson

6.

"If someone bases his happiness or unhappiness on major events like a great new job, huge amounts of money, a flawlessly happy marriage or a trip to Paris, that person isn’t going to be happy much of the time. If, on the other hand, happiness depends on a good breakfast, flowers in the yard, a drink or a nap, then we are more likely to live with quite a bit of happiness." — Andy Rooney

7.

"I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it." — Groucho Marx

8.

"There is no happiness like that of being loved by your fellow creatures, and feeling that your presence is an addition to their comfort." — Charlotte Brontë

9.

"Happiness doesn't come from achievements, or money, or any sort of treasure. Happiness is a frame of mind, not a destination. It's appreciating what you've got and building relationships with those around you." — Janette Rallison

10.

"No one is in control of your happiness but you; therefore, you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that you want to change." — Barbara De Angelis

11.

"Whether you choose to move on from your struggles and enjoy life or waddle in your misery, life will continue." — Germany Kent

12.

"If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes." — Andrew Carnegie

13.

"Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better to take things as they come along with patience and equanimity." — Carl Jung

14.

"Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give." — Eleanor Roosevelt

15.

"Just because you are happy it does not mean that the day is perfect but that you have looked beyond its imperfections." — Bob Marley